FEEDBACK ON MEETING WITH SHEIKH NINOWY

Dear Brothers of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah!

Please find, below, a summary of the meeting that was held with
Sheikh Ninowy on Saturday 10th of October 2015 in Pretoria. This is not
a word for word account of the discussion but a conceptual
summary. We may have added a few sentences here and there to
explain the Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah and also to
make it easy for the public to understand since this was a scholarly
discussion.

We would like to, at the outset, make it clear that the meeting held
with Sheikh Ninowy was not a debate nor was it aimed at proving
him right or wrong. It was purely to have first-hand information
regarding his beliefs and practices in order for the Ulema-e-Ikraam to
give an opinion and guide the Sunni masses regarding his beliefs and
practises.

This is approximately what was understood by the Ulama present:

1: Sheikh Ninowy: I believe in the Afdaliyyat (greatness) of Hazrat

Abu Bakr Siddique (May Allah be pleased with Him) over all, after the
Prophets (peace be upon them).

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah.

2: Sheikh Ninowy: I believe in the sequence of Afdaliyyat of the

Khulafa-e-Rashideeni, that is, First Hazrat Abu Bakr, then Hazrat Umar,
then Hazrat Uthmaan and then Hazrat Ali. (May Allah be pleased
with them)

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah.
3: Sheikh Ninowy: If anyone insults Hazrat Amir Muawiya (May Allah
be pleased with him), he is a grave sinner.

Sunni Belief: This person is not just a grave sinner; he is Bidati, Daall
and Mudill (astray) and deserves the fire of hell as mentioned by
Sadrush Shariah Mufti Amjad Ali Azami in Bahaar-e-Shariat.

4: Sheikh Ninowy: Swearing any Sahabi is a very severe sin, especially

the khulafa-e-Rashideen. Swearing the Khulafa-e-Rashideen is such
a grave sin that it is close to kufr but not Kufr.

Sunni Belief: According to the research of Sayyiduna Ala Hazrat

such a person, who insults and further denies the Khilafat of
Shaikhain Kareemain (Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar;(May Allah
be pleased with them), is a Kaafir. This is the stance of majority of
Fuqaha (Muslim jurists). The Sunni Muslims will not move an inch from
the beliefs of Akaabir Ulama.

5: Sheikh Ninowy: If the reason for swearing the Sahabi is due to the
Suhbat (companionship) of Rasoolullah (peace & salutations be
upon Him) then that person is a Kaafir, because this is an insult of
Rasoolullah (peace & salutations be upon him).

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah..

6: Sheikh Ninowy: I do not regard the person who denies the Imamat
or Khilafat of Shaikhain (Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar) as Kaafir
because there is Ikhtilaaf (deference of opinion) amongst Ulama on
this issue and I follow the opinion that doesnt regard them as Kaafir.

Sunni Belief: Such a person is Kaafir, as mentioned in Raddur

Rafadah by Shaikhul Islam Wal Muslimeen Sayyiduna Ala Hazrat
Imam Ahmad Raza Khan with the reference of Durre Mukhtar,
Khizanatul Muftiyyeen, Tabyeenul Haqaieq, Hashiyatut Tahawi Alad
Durril Mukhtar, Fatwa Bazzazia, Bahrur Raique, Majmaul Anhur
Sharah Multaqal Abhur, Nazmul Faraied published in Egypt, Tayseerul
Maqasid, Uqoodud Durriyah, Fatawa Hindiah, Fatawa Khairiah and
many more authentic books.
 Therefore, the vast majority of renowned Ulama and Mashaaikh of
the Arab and Non-Arab world are unanimous on this verdict.

In actual fact, Ikhtilaaf is on verbal abuse of Sahabah but according

to the Fuqaha-e-Ikraam (Islamic jurists) there is no Ikhtilaaf on the Kufr
of such a person who denies the Imamat and Khilafat of Shaikhain
Karimain, because on this matter there is a highest level of consensus
of all Sahabah, which is termed as Ijmaa -e- Nassi in the
terminology of Usool ul Fiqh and to reject the Ijmaa -e- Nassi of all
Sahabah is equal to rejecting the verses of Quran and Mutawaatir
Hadith, as mentioned in Noorul Anwaar by Mulla Jeewan Alahihir
Rahmah on page 222.

Besides denying the legitimacy of the Khilafat of Sayyuduna Abu

Bakr Saddique, Shias have many more undisputed Kufr beliefs, detail
of which will be provided in the second report at a later stage.

It is indeed a very big blunder and deception if someone says the

differences between Sunnis and Shias are reconcilable. The fact is,
There is no chance and no possibility whatsoever for the Kufr and
Imaan to reconcile with each other.

7: Sheikh Ninowy: I regard a person, who denies any of the

Durooriyaat-e-Deen (essentials of Deen), as a Kaafir.

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlussunnah. Khilafat and

Imamat of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique is also from the Darooriyaat-
e-Deen, therefore the denier of the Khilafat of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr is
a Kaafir. (Sheikh Ninowy accepts the principle but for some reasons
cannot implement it on Shias)

8: Sheikh Ninowy: If it is proven that any individual Shia or Salafi or

Wahabi who denies any of the Darooriyaat-e-Deen, I regard him as
a Kaafir

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah. The ground reality is that it is almost impossible in todays
time to find a Raafazi/Shia who does not negate one or more of the
Durooriyaat-e-Deen.
9: Sheikh Ninowy: I do not regard Ahl ul Bidah (Astray ones) as
kaafirs. They still have Imaan; therefore it is fine to say our Shia
brothers and Salafi brothers etc.

Sunni belief: We agree that Ahl ul Bidah are not Kaafirs but these
people are indeed out of the fold of Sunniyyat and many amongst
them have crossed the limits of Shariah and committed Kufr,
therefore they cannot be called our brothers. Sunni Ulama
disapprove of the way Sheikh Ninowy addresses Ahl ul Bidah as his
brothers (without clarifying that those who deny Dharooriyaat-e-
Deen are excluded) which may give the layman the impression that
there is nothing wrong with their beliefs.

10: Sheikh Ninowy: Those Shias who swear Hazrat Ayesha and
regard Hazrat Ali as Ilah (worthy of worship/God) they are Kafirs.

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah.

11: Sheikh Ninowy: (When the Deobandi Kufrs such as Imkaan e Kizb
etc. were explained to Sheikh Ninowy) he immediately said that all
these are Kufriyaat (disbeliefs) and the one who says this or even
validates it; he is also a kaafir with certainty.

Sunni Belief: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah.

12: Sheikh Ninowy: I am a preacher and when I am invited to speak

at any Salafi or Deobandi event, or even if Christians or Jews invite
me, I go and give the true message of Islam but I dont advise the
general public or my Mureeds to attend the functions of these
people. I know my Aqeedah and I stick to my beliefs.

Sunni Ulama: The Ulama disagreed with this conduct and tried to
persuade Sheikh Ninowy to stop this kind of mixing with the astray
ones. On the advice of the Ulama he showed some acceptance of
this advice.
13: Sheikh Ninowy: Hadith-e-Jabir is fabricated but I believe that
Rasoolullah is Noor because of other proofs not because of Hadith-e-
Jabir

Sunni Ulama: it is good to know that you believe in Rasoolullah

(peace & salutations be upon Him) being Noor but the Ulama
disagreed and presented arguments against his opinion that the
Hadith of Hazrat Jabir is not fabricated.

Note: (the notion of Sheikh Ninowy regarding the Noor of beloved

Rasool peace be upon him was told to Ulama-e-Ikraam by some
brothers after the meeting) in the further communications, Sunni
Ulama will try to confirm, if sheikh Ninowy believes Rasoolullahs
being Noor, like the Quran is Noor, Shariat is Noor, Hidayat is Noor
etc. Or he believes that beloved Rasool (peace be upon him) is
created from the Noor of Allah, which is the Haqiqat (reality) of
Rasoolullah (peace be upon him). This has been always the
difference between Sunnis and Wahabis.

14: Sheikh Ninowy: I believe that all the Ahadith which talk about Ahl
ul Bidah (people with corrupt beliefs) where it says: dont make
salaam to them, dont sit with them, dont eat with them, dont drink
with them, dont read their Namaz e Janazah, dont visit them when
they are sick, keep them away from you and you stay away from
them etc. are weak and I dont base my practice on these
Ahadeeth.

Sunni Ulama: The Ulama disagreed with this because these Ahadith
are quoted and practised by many great Muhadditheen and
scholars of Islam. It is for this reason, these Ahadith gained strength
and will not be classified as Daeef (weak). This is the Manhaj (way)
of Jamhoor (majority of) Muhadditheen.

15: Sheikh was asked about the Hadith of Sahih Muslim which says:
stay away from them and keep them away from you so that they
may not mislead you nor involve you in their mischief. Does he
regard this Hadith of Sahih Muslim weak as well?
Sunni Ulama: As a response Sheikh Ninowy did not provide much
argument on the Hadith of Sahih Muslim.

16: Sheikh Ninowy: Reading Salah behind Ahl ul Bidah is Ghair

Mustahab (Makrooh Tanzihi)

Sunni Belief: Salaah behind such a person is Makrooh Tahreemi (not

Makhrooh Tanzihi) and it must be repeated.

17: Sheikh Ninowy: The Hadith of 73 sects is Sahih but the last part of
the Hadith which says all will go to hell except one is weak or even
fabricated. The narrators have added that part.

Sunni Ulama: The Ulama disagreed and presented proofs against his
argument.

18: Sheikh Ninowy: I believe that the Thawaab of Khatam of Quran

reaches the Marhoomeen and I practice that as well, but there is no
conclusive evidence so I am correct in saying that there is no Sahih
Hadith. Ahadith in this regard are weak.

Sunni Ulama: The Ulama discussed that the Sheikh should have rather
explained that there is no proof of the Thawaab NOT reaching the
deceased but there are ample poofs of it reaching the deceased
though they are Daeef proofs, instead of his approach there is no
conclusive evidence. He agreed that his approach was
unbecoming. I do make mistakes he said. He also agreed that
Daeef Hadith is good enough to prove the virtues of practicing
something.

19: Sheikh Ninowy: If anyone insults Rasoolullah (peace & blessings

be upon Him) and I am there, even if I am in the gathering of a
million people, I will not be part of that gathering and will leave
immediately.

Sunni Ulama: This is an undisputed belief of Ahlus Sunnah wal

Jamaah.

20: Sheikh Ninowy: Sheikh was asked: You are a known scholar and
Murshid to some. With you going to the gatherings of the Ahl ul
Bidah, many will follow and also perform Salaah behind them. Do
you acknowledge this and take responsibility? He replied I dont
encourage anyone to read Salaah behind them nor attend their
gatherings. If anyone done so it is because of his own
misunderstanding and ignorance and that is not my fault.

Sunni Ulama: The Ulama disagreed with this conduct. He may not
explicitly be condoning his Mureeds and followers to do so but, by
attending such functions, calling them his brothers and saying that
he has love for them, may be giving them implicit permission to
follow the Ahl ul Bidah in Salaah or otherwise. It has come to our
attention that some of Sheikhs Mureeds have invited the Ahl ul
Bidah to address the masses at functions hosted by them and also
invited them to lead Salaah in Masjids run by them.

21: Sheikh Ninowy: I do not deny that there is Ijmaa on the Khilaafat
of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (May Allah be pleased with Him) but
there isnt 100% Ijmaa on it. One Sahabi remained silent. He
mentioned the name of Sahabi, Hazrat Sad Bin Ubadah. (May Allah
be pleased with Him)

Sunni belief: The fact is, there was 100% consensus on the Khilafat of
Sayyuduna Abu Bakr Siqqique (May Allah be pleased with him) as
mentioned by all Akaabir and prominent Ulama. If one Sahabi
remained silent as sheikh Ninowy claims. It does not matter because
silence is also agreement and all others, in thousands, took Baiyat
openly. So, it does not affect the Ijmaa at all.

None of the Sahabas opposed or refused to accept Siyyuduna Abu

Bakr Siddique as a true and legitimate Khalifah of beloved Nabi
(peace be upon him)

22: Sheikh Ninowy: it is a Hanafi viewpoint to regard Shiaas as Kaafirs

because of denying the Khilafat of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique,
Shafee Ulama do not regard Shias as Kaafirs on this base.

Sunni Ulama: Ulama read out a Fatwa of Imam Taqiyyuddeen Subki

Shafee, who regards Shias as Kaafirs because of denying the
Khilafat of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique (May Allah be pleased with
him). Sheikh Ninowy immediately said Subki is Hanafi. But the truth
is that Imam Taqiyyuddeen Subki is Shafee not Hanafi. Readers can
do their own research on Imam Subki.

This was just the brief summary of the discussion. We have not gone
into too much of detail but there is no Hukme Sharee given as yet by
this delegation of Ulama. We will study some of his arguments on the
Kufr of the insulters and deniers of the Imamat and the Khilafat of
Shaikhain Kareemain. (May Allah be pleased with them) We are in
the process of requesting him to furnish proofs of these arguments.
Thereafter we will prepare another document which will clearly show
the differences between his opinions and the opinions of our
respected and accepted Akaabir and Mashaaikh of Ahlus Sunnah
wal Jamaah.

Moulana Ahmad Mukaddam

Sunni Ulama Council, Gauteng

Shaikhul Hadith Moulana Iftikhar Ahmad Misbahi

Darul Uloom Qadria Gharib Nawaz, Ladysmith.

Mufti Abdun Nabi Hamidi

Jamiatul Madinah, Lenasia, Johannesburg.

Mufti Shamsul Haque Qadiri Misbahi

Jamia Imam Ahmad Raza Ahsan ul Barakaat, Newcastle.

Maulana Sarfarz Rahmatullah

Darul Uloom Pretoria, Pretoria.

Date: 6th Muharram ul Haram1437 - 20th October 2015